Alash Ensemble is a quartet of master throat singers and instrumentalists from Tuva, the tiny but music-rich Central Asian republic. Proteges of Tuvan musical ambassador Kongar-ool Ondar (who you may know from the documentary film Genghis Blues), Alash mainly focuses on traditional repertoire. But the group also cites Jimi Hendrix as an influence and has collaborated with the Sun Ra Arkestra and Béla Fleck. Alash is currently on the road in North America, and we catch the ensemble for a live session in advance of their tour-ending August 15 gig at cozy Barbes in Park Slope, Brooklyn.

-Rob Weisberg

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